NABLUS, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel will free 250 prisoners as a goodwill gesture before an upcoming Muslim holiday.

Abbas said at a conference in the northern West Bank town of Nablus on Saturday that Israel will release the prisoners before Eid al-Adha, an important Muslim holiday expected to take place on Dec. 8.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and the actual date of religious holidays can vary slightly.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced last week he'd release the prisoners.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli Prime Minister says Olmert is expected to set a release date after he meets with Abbas again.

The thousands of prisoners in Israeli jails is an extremely sensitive issue for Palestinians.